Corbin man jailed after high speed chase, hitting officer with motorcycle

A Corbin man is facing multiple charges after allegedly hitting a police officer with his motorcycle, and later leading Corbin police on a high-speed pursuit that ended in southern Laurel County.

Rickie Blankenship

Jr. Redhound Theatre presenting ‘frightful comedy’ this Thursday (Nov. 16) – Saturday (Nov. 18)

Edgar Allan Poe, legendary master of horror, is hosting an evening of terrifying tales… or so he plans. What he doesn’t anticipate is the Raven, the beguiling bird from his most famous work, showing up and making a mockery of the entire show.

Twisting the play into more of a comedy rather than the serious horror that Poe was hoping for, what follows is an evening that will leave the audience in stitches, for better or for worse!

Edgar Allan Poe’s Nightmare Theatre: A Frightful Comedy was originally written for and performed by Corbin Junior Redhound Theatre in 2017, and has since gone on to win Poe Fest International’s Saturday Visiter Award, which commemorates creators inspired by Poe’s life and works.

Showtimes are Nov. 16, 17 and 18 starting at 7 p.m. in the Corbin Middle School gym. Tickets are $5 a person.

Electronic Edition For 11-15-2023

UC to begin offering zero interest, forgivable loans starting next school year

Five years ago, the University of the Cumberlands did something almost unheard of in the world of higher education. It lowered the tuition rate for on-campus students and not just a little bit.

Ed McGrath, a senior development officer for the University of the Cumberlands, spoke to members of the Southern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce during its monthly luncheon Tuesday, where he detailed the new loan program and how it will better help students afford tuition costs.

“We want all the students to know that at Cumberlands there is a clear and affordable path to a college degree. That is what we call the Cumberlands Commitment. In 2019, we reduced our tuition by 57 percent for the traditional on campus undergraduate students,” Ed McGrath, a senior development officer for the University of the Cumberlands, told members of the Southern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce during its monthly membership luncheon Tuesday.

UC is planning another surprising change for its students in order to make college more affordable.

Cost affordable broadband access coming to parts of Whitley County

If you live in an area of Whitley County, which isn’t served by broadband internet access but you are wanting or needing it, then there may be some help headed your way within the next 18 months or possibly sooner at a cost that many people can afford.

enate President Robert Stivers (pictured) was one of the speakers at a special event in London Monday where the Center for Rural Development announced a $30.7 million broadband expansion project.

District Court Records

Editor’s note: The News Journal publishes only the final disposition of district court criminal cases except for those which are waived to a grand jury or dismissed without condition.

Lawsuits

Marriage Licenses

Deeds

Burn ban in effect in Whitley County, KY in state of emergency

A burn ban is currently in effect in Whitley County as a statewide state of emergency has also been declared due ongoing wildfires.

Last week, Whitley County Judge Executive Pat White issued a burn ban to prohibit outdoor burning of any kind within the county. The ban comes as multiple wildfires continue to burn across the county and many more throughout the state.

According to the Kentucky Division of Forestry’s fire map, there are currently four wildfires in Whitley County alone, accounting for approximately 750 acres that have burned or are still on fire. The data shows that of the four, three are controlled and two are contained.

Across the state, numbers are much higher, with 100 fires currently ongoing with approximately 27,000 acres involved. Kentucky’s fall fire season runs from Oct. 1 to Dec. 15 each year, when many of these types are fires are common.

White told the News Journal Tuesday that weather conditions have created a prime catalyst for such fires and asked that area residents heed the ban that has been put in place.

“This fall has been particularly dry and the danger present can easily be seen by some of the large fires that there have been throughout the region this year. Please help us continue to keep our area safe through this extraordinary season,” said White.

The burn ban will remain in effect until it is rescinded via public notice.

Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear also declared a state of emergency last week in an attempt to coordinate response efforts and resources.

“We are taking action to make sure that Kentucky families and communities have the resources they need,” said Beshear, via a press release. “We appreciate everyone on the front lines stepping up to fight the fires, and we pray for their safety and that these fires can be put out quickly.”

For those interested in learning how to prepare for wildfires and making a plan to stay safe, details can be found by visiting ready.gov/wildfires.

For more information about fire hazard seasons, contact the Kentucky Division of Forestry at 1 (800) 866-0555 or visit www.forestry.ky.gov.

The next fire hazard season begins Feb. 15 and runs through April 30.